K. Rahman Khan: Rajya Sabha podium to Manmohan cabinet

Indo Asian News Service

28 October 2012

New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) K. Rahman Khan, who was Sunday inducted into the cabinet and allocated the minority affairs portfolio, has served for eight years as the deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha and was briefly a junior minister in the UPA-I government.

Khan served a short term as deputy chairman from 2004-2006 and a full six year tenure from 2006-2012. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1995-96 and re-elected in 2000, 2006 and 2012.

He developed a good rapport with members across the political spectrum and tried to steer the house out of difficult situations with his cheerful disposition. He is known for keeping his cool even when opposition members created pandemonium.

Khan, who belongs to Mandya district of Karnataka, began his political career in 1978 as a member of the state legislative council. He remained in the house till 1990.

He headed the Karnataka Minorities Commission 1993-94 and

He was pro vice chairman and managing committee of Delhi Public School (South, North and East Bangalore); vice-president, Al-Ameen Charitable Fund Trust Bijapur; director, Accounting Research Foundation of the ICAI and trustee of Urdu Daily Salar. He has also been president, Central Muslim Association of Karnataka and was vice president, Majlis-e-Millia Islamia, according to the Rajya Sabha website.

Born on April 5, 1939, Khan is married to Ayesha and has three sons and two